Report: Rodrigo Piñeiro to stay with Unión Española in 2023

Rodrigo Piñeiro will return to Chilean Primera División side Unión Española in 2023. Reported by Alaire Libre, the club informed fans at a supporters’ event that Piñeiro is set to return for a second season with La Furia.

Piñeiro himself spoke at the event, saying: “My agent made a great effort and we prioritized being happy here. This is a thank you to the fans for the support they give me, I hope that 2023 will be better than the 2022 and we can qualify for international cups and win a title. We have that drive in us.”

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Piñeiro was a standout last season for Unión Española, who finished 11th place in the Primera División. In 21 appearances in all competitions, the 23-year-old scored seven goals and added one assist.

Bought from Danubio FC in 2021 for a reported $1.7 million, Piñeiro was Nashville SC’s first-ever U22 Initiative signing. Hyped as a much-needed attacking option on the wings, he failed to live up to expectations, playing just 16 minutes in two appearances and publicly venting frustrations with head coach Gary Smith.

He didn’t make the 18-man matchday roster for the final 27 matches of the 2021 season, despite lack of production from wingers getting minutes and was unceremoniously loaned to Unión Española in the offseason. Nashville SC never announced or commented on his loan.

Whether he leaves on another loan, or more likely leaves on a permanent transfer, his time in Nashville will go down as one of the more disappointing transfers in the club’s young history.

Author: Ben Wrightis the Director of Soccer Content and a Senior MLS Contributor for Broadway Sports covering Nashville SC and the US National Team. Previously Ben was the editor and a founder of Speedway Soccer, where he has covered Nashville SC and their time in USL before journeying to Major League Soccer since 2018. Raised in Louisville, KY Ben grew up playing before a knee injury ended his competitive career. When he is not talking soccer he is probably producing music, drinking coffee or hanging out with his wife and kids. Mastodon

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